Fractal Design Torrent Review: Totally Different, Totally Cool

Jhon

3 years ago

Most of today's ATX cases follow a fairly straightforward design, which doesn't really differ much. Often you will see the same basic design and some differences in the images. Okay, that doesn't give case makers enough credit, but you get the idea: PSU at the bottom, rest of the system at the top. But today, Fractal Design is releasing the Torrent, and it seems the designers suffered amnesia that led them to forget what most ATX cases are like, resulting in something totally different.

The Torrent is different than most other ATX cases I've come across, but not in a bad way. With the trend towards ever higher TDP hardware, the Torrent seems poised to capitalize on that, with a design that should offer more airflow than any other case I've tried thus far, hence the name Torrent.

On the benchmark today I have the Black RGB flavor with a light tint, which is the most expensive subtype, priced at $ 239.99. That's not cheap at all, but it does come with a lot of kit including five large RGB-enabled fans and two glass panels. Other variants lack RGB and come in white, gray, or black, with solid or glass panels. The black solid panel model is set at $ 179, while the others cost $ 189.

So without further ado, let's find out if Torrent is suitable for our Best PC Cases list.

Specifications

Writes	Mid-tower ATX
Motherboard support	Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX
Dimensions (HxWxD)	20.9 x 9.53 x 21.4 inches (530 x 242 x 544 mm)
GPU maximum length	16.7 in. (423 mm)
CPU cooler height	7.4 in. (188 mm)
Maximum length of power supply	9.05 inches (230 mm)
External bays	✗
Internal bays	2x 3.5 inches, 4x 2.5 inches
Expansion slots	7 times
Front I / O	2x USB 3.0, USB-C, 3.5mm audio and microphone
Other	2x tempered glass panel, fan hub
Front fans	2x 180mm (up to 3x 140mm, 3x 120mm)
Rear fans	None (up to 1x 140mm)
Older fans	Neither
Bottom fans	3x 140mm (up to 3x 140mm, 3x 120mm)
Side fans	✗
RGB	Yes, but no controller
Dipping	Do not
Warranty	2 years

features

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(Image credit: Niels Broekhuijsen, Tom's Hardware)

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(Image credit: Niels Broekhuijsen, Tom's Hardware)

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(Image credit: Niels Broekhuijsen, Tom's Hardware)

Starting with the exterior, the chassis looks very aggressive, with a striking mesh front panel and glass panels on both sides. The tint on this model is said to be light, although it is quite dark; I imagine that a dark tint will not allow you to see much of the interior at all.

(Image credit: Niels Broekhuijsen, Tom's Hardware)

Unlike most cases, the top of the Torrent does not have exhaust vents for its radiator. This is because the power supply is at the top and the chassis cooling system is centered around the inlet at the front and the bottom.

(Image credit: Niels Broekhuijsen, Tom's Hardware)

The top IO offers two USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type-C port, discrete headphone and microphone jacks, along with power and reset switches - all pretty standard, though pretty comprehensive.

To remove the panels, simply pull a tab in the upper rear corner, pulling the panel off its latch so you can lift it out of the box. With that, it's time to take a look inside the Torrent.

Internal layout

(Image credit: Niels Broekhuijsen, Tom's Hardware)

In the main compartment, there is room for up to E-ATX motherboards, along with GPUs up to 431mm long with the fans pre-installed in place.

(Image credit: Niels Broekhuijsen, Tom's Hardware)

The reverse side is where the magic happens, offering full space and cable management utilities for up to two 3.5-inch drives and four 2.5-inch SSDs. There is a luxuriously large cutout in the motherboard tray for easy access to the back of the CPU cooler mounting mechanism.

Cooling

(Image credit: Niels Broekhuijsen, Tom's Hardware)

Aside from the PSU design on top, the five included fans are one of Torrent's highlights. The chassis comes with two 180mm and 38mm thick fans installed in the front of the case, along with three 140mm spinners at the bottom for increased input. Both bulbs have large air filters that are easily removable and, in our case, all the fans come with RGB lighting.

(Image credit: Niels Broekhuijsen, Tom's Hardware)

On the rear tray in the cable management space, you'll also see a nifty inclusion: a nine-port PWM hub, powered by a SATA port. It uses a standard fan header to pull the main PWM signal from your motherboard, but having a nine-port hub included makes it easy to connect all five fans, and it's nice to have room to add another four fans to the mix.

However, there is no RGB controller or hub, so it will depend on the A-RGB ports on your motherboard. This is not a problem if you go for any other version of the Torrent than the one we are testing today, but if you want this RGB variant, make sure you have two A-RGB ports on your motherboard.

For fans of water cooling, you will be pleased to know that the case can accommodate radiators up to 420mm (3 x 140mm) on both the bottom and front of the case, with another 140mm unit in the case. rear. Keep in mind, however, that installing a radiator at the front will require fan mounts, as the standard mounting holes are lined up for larger 180mm fans, but these mounts are included in the box.

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